[Music] hello yes hey it's C with with Jackson the Sheriff's Office on a recorded line yes yes ma' I just wanted to ask you um to be clear do you think it's fou play I have no idea this just not like this is out of character for her and for me call you all something's wrong okay something is definitely wrong on a seemingly ordinary December Day in 2018 the corridors of Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville echoed with the usual bustle of students but for one family this day marked the beginning of an unsettling mystery that would soon grip an entire Community Ayan Sawyer a young student with a bright future seemingly vanished Into Thin Air leaving only Whispers and shadows in her wake was this a case of a young Soul seeking Escape AP or were the Shadows hiding something far more Sinister this Enigma was deepened by a poignant detail Ayana was 5 months pregnant as the investigation unfolded the truth finally began to emerge but it was a truth that was far beyond the Realms of what anyone had dared to imagine let's dive in Ayana Miss Sawyer an astute and bright teen from Jacksonville Florida was on track for a future filled with impressive achievements born September 6th 2002 her zest for knowledge was evident from a young age in her home with her parents and three siblings Ayana grew into an exceptional individual at Terry Parker High School her academic Excellence was clear she consistently earned top grades and was a regular name on the honor role poised for early graduation with multiple college scholarships already in hand Ayana's prospects seemed boundless however an unexpected development occurred when she discovered she was pregnant her family providing steadfast support and advice encouraged her to stay focused on her academic Pursuits although she hadn't yet shared the identity of the baby's father Ayana was excited about motherhood and had chosen the name Hazel for her daughter on December 19th 2018 a pivotal change occurred as detailed in police records Ayan attended her regular classes at Terry Parker High School but concern grew when her sister a student at the same school noticed Diana was missing from their usual bus ride home despite multiple attempts by her family to contact her via phone and inquiries with her friends and relatives there were no leads struck by this out of character event for the normally reliable Ayana her mother decided to call 911 she informed the dispatcher about the unusual nature of ayan's sudden absence want straight the voicemail or just it's going straight to vo her phone never goes to VOA she has that phone in her hand and she sleep with that phone in her hand only bad judgment she did was getting pregnant she was on she on trct she graduate this year at she's student Society student all no problems and not like soon after the conversation ended the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office called back their goal was to gather more information to accurately assess any potential risks or hazards that Ayana might be [Applause] [Music] facing hello yes hey with with the Jackson the Sheriff's Office on a recorded line yes yes ma'am I just wanted to ask you um to be clear do you think it's sound play I have no idea this just not like this is out of character for her and for me to call you all something's wrong okay something is definitely wrong okay she come home every day CU she got responsibility she walk to the element with her sister to take her brother up and she's 5 months pregnant okay okay so you feel that this is out of character correct this is very much out of character okay all right I just wanted to clarify that with you yes ma'am all right thank you thank you byebye the Sawyer Family was adamant that Ayana had not run away they had been fully supportive throughout her pregnancy and she had attended all her doctor's appointments the baffling nature of her disappearance left both her family and law enforcement in a state of confusion and concern on December 27th the case took a significant turn when a relative of ayan's brought to light allegations of inappropriate contact between her and her 33-year-old uncle-in-law Jonathan KES who was the husband of ayan's Aunt the Sawyer Family had previously harbored suspicions about kaz's Behavior towards Ayanna given her current status they felt an urgent need to tell the police suspecting that kilas might have Vital Information about ayan's whereabouts this suspicion was notably contrasted by kaz's online Behavior where he was actively posting messages expressing concern for Ayana presenting a conflicting image of the family's concerns to support their position the Sawyers presented Ayana's laptop to officers in it they discovered a four-page love letter in which ayyana expressed a desire to run away with her lover the family believed this letter was about Jonathan keeles raising obvious concerns the police acted swiftly officers were sent to kez's Residents to investigate the allegations against him while tactfully exploring any potential links he might have to ayan's whereabouts okay well let let me finish up over here okay yeah got it hey John what's going on well my wife just dropped a whole bunch of [ __ ] on me right now reped missing today is she was she here no no there's no no no she's not she's not um there's no no report of a missing child today hearing probably a little bit more than that and the lady holding laop um that's her sister and I think that's my sister's wife okay okay okay all honey can you pretty much crazy all this just got dropped like both of us I was just getting trying to gety to sign a lease over here and I'm coming back I see patrol cars in my dang house so I'mma tell you with with regards to this sh do I think my husband is capable of any of this no I don't you know but I I mean I don't we have a missing piece of the puzzle obviously crazy yeah so those are some pretty serious allegations yeah you tell me about it and this is the reason because me and my wife we don't even talk to any of them because they were starting these rumors while back you know it's like she she end up having um getting ft with a guy next door and he was a much older dude and um they came up with uh the whole idea that I was the one that turned them out for her you know what I'm saying it's just crazy gossip [ __ ] it's like nuts so so this is just like I'm pretty sure is I I mean deep down inside man I I'm pretty sure that they [ __ ] try to force these words into our mouth there just nothing ever that's happened one second yeah because I believe it or not I found people hiding in closet beds and they thought they were missing it's like no they're out here the whole time you know we have not no problem communication PRI going miss different it was just having a bit of a family ISS I know I I I used to I used to be on a job too in New York you know I I know you find crazy stuff like that just but you know we we we literally had their kids her kids for Su you know summer at a time and then you know weekend like yeah all of them and and you know it's just like if we knew where she was at we would have been the first ones to grab her yeah yeah exactly stuff on our Facebook trying to find it the same way they are it's like are you serious even we not speaking exactly I mean she I don't know see see guys what was the last time you all saw her then last time they stayed the night over here which was before it was in November November last in November we had all four of them over here that's what I'm saying that's I'm talking about Y and still to this day we don't know what the freak we don't know what the hell happened there because it's all been you know this that you know it's never been nothing has been consistent all so yeah that's missing man that's crazy that's sad you has she ever done this before she ever got Miss she like I told the all the officers now she's she's complaining you know always both of them she's always complaining always complaining you know and I always first of all your mom is your mom you know I'm saying your mom loves the hell out of you no matter what and I always was say always mom the best mom not at all you know what I'm saying she comes home she still a mom yeah she's a mom you know say we only get one yeah but I explained to them I like listen your situation is [ __ ] awesome compared to my situation growing up you know what I mean I had a real one growing up um just you know stay focused in school stay FOC you want to get out the house the right way is and then know she's honor student like big time yeah oh big time she's an honor student and um you know she she's doing everything that she needs to do to go ahead and and make a transition to to to get out and I was like well that's the best way you know that's the best way to go yeah this thing is just I'm stressed if I check my phone right now with my finger on it like the Samsung oh man that thatn thing would be probably all the way to roof my ears are hot and uh when I asked her about it she said that she know who the father was but she ain't saying she didn't know yeah she knows father child she just but then you know what I'm saying you can't really take anything that she's saying serious because now that she's been gone all this stuff that's been going going around she's been dealing with this dude and that dude and this other one is some something that she was dealing with cousins at the same time that one's supposed to be the baby father you know other one she's dealing with so you I question literally everything yeah I got you man so well you know they said that she her card was used at a wy's and Bay medals and then her card again was purchasing uh internet device or some sort and they were over outside some ladyes house this is this is the information that we were just being fed yeah you know that's crazy no wait she was in there what you got your P yeah he always had no I watch I watch I watch I watch all what put your can you put it back in Pocket yeah we'll put it in the bag oh no they'll bag it no you going right down downtown is that the old one that's right there by where it goes up well you know where the jail is yeah the old one not that new one not going to jail oh 501 is the one that's the one um let me conf he said he used to be an NYPD officer so kind of probably knows way around interview and everything to go on do he got a DL number there tell that he's a former NYPD officer yeah just okay just come come out here for a second can you come out here for a second and I need a charger too what's the pass what's the password man the passw is oh detectives questioned KES and released him on the same night yet just two weeks after concluding their initial investigation authorities apprehended KES at his place of employment the ace Pi a part and Automotive Parts facility qua has told investigators that he was accused of sexual assault by family members when he told them to stop causing conflict with his wife because this is a sister matter type of deal I can't do it no more I'm I'm done with it he recalls the accusations that think U Jonathan has been inappropriate with now they question them girls separately together and it's been nope he's never done he's never been inappropriate with me the investigator explains that she is handling a missing person's case the missing person is aana Sawyer they found a love note on her computer they believe it is about quas and so they're finding stuff on the computer that that she's authoring MH that's implying a sexual relationship with you almost like a love affair the detectives tell quas they have also found his DNA but it's not clear if it's tied to Sawyer or someone else so there would be no reason to have any of your DNA nope nope not at all investigators ask quas about Sawyer quas explains he doesn't know where aana Sawyer is located I have no idea where to find her um she never told me anything about running away and um I I I I can't I don't know I can't give you any information I don't have about her period according to police records KES was taken to dval County Jail in connection with the assault on a member of Ayana's family family he was detained with a bond set at $250,000 G's wife expressed her shock upon learning about the accusations against her husband she stated her refusal to post bail for him emphasizing that her Focus was on finding Ayana and dealing with her own late stage pregnancy by Jonathan a week following kez's arrest it was revealed by local media that investigators had commenced a search of a nearby landfill for evidence the authorities at that point disclosed no further details only mentioning that they were acting on tips and that the investigation was actively progressing when approached by a local news team for comments on the landfill search the Sawyer Family indicated that this development was unexpected and previously unknown to them after an extensive search authorities recovered articles of clothing they believed belong to Ayana and a book from the Terry Parker High School library subsequent court documents revealed that the decision by police to search the landfill was based on a tip from Jonathan kaz's Brother Joseph upon learning of Jonathan's January 8th arrest Joseph reached out to the authorities and alleged that his brother had admitted to murdering Ayana during a phone call shortly after her disappearance initially Joseph had doubts about the truthfulness of Jonathan's confession however however upon learning that Ayan was missing and his brother's subsequent arrest Joseph began to believe the confession might be true this led to a significant moment when Jonathan texted Joseph to inquire if he had spoken to the police Joseph responded as follows I can't talk to you right now I have to stay firm on my decision what you told me isn't a joke or something so yeah I told the police because they need to know if you was lying then you will be cleared and free but if you wasn't then you won't I'm sorry I have to do the right thing for that girl and her family not the right thing for you and you are selfishness I hate to lose you but I'd rather that girl's family have some peace if you're innocent then you don't have anything to worry about they won't find her body but if you're not they're going to find her and in that case I've already lost my brother I'm sorry in his testimony during the court proceedings Joseph elaborated on the details of the phone conversation he had with his brother Jonathan yeah at some point in time we had another conversation where I started questioning him a little bit more about what it what what he was going to do or what should what he did or didn't do and um so just so we're clear let me stop you there was this next phone call on the same day same day I don't know if in the order of the the the C for the conversation and um after we had a small conversation he then said that he already um handled the situation he already took care of it for those his words he took care of it yeah he took care of it all right sir now tell this jury what he told you with respect to how he took care of the situation um in in another conversation same day um he then said said that he [Music] um he took the young lady and he um had her sitting in a in a vehicle he picked her up he had her sitting in a vehicle uh waiting he tried to strangle her it didn't work out he couldn't stomach it and so then he later went shot her in the chest and then he proceeded to um discard the body by um taking uh the body and putting it in a transporting it into a dumpster and um and destroying the vehicle while KES was detained and awaiting his trial investigators persuaded two fellow inmates to engage him in a conversation about the murder one of the inmates was wired with a recording device in the course of their nearly 2-hour discussion kiles once again confessed to killing Ayan and disposing of her body to date her remains have not been found in a separate turn of events kaz's wife began the process of divorce while Jonathan was in custody This legal action was completed and officially entered into the public record on May 7th 2021 opening arguments in the trial of Florida versus Jonathan keles began in September 2020 3 during the sixday trial the prosecution presented a case built on significant evidence against Jonathan this included surveillance footage placing him at the crime scene explicit Snapchat messages exchanged between the victim and the accused testimonies from multiple Witnesses and wire recordings the defense however argued that there was no concrete evidence linking Jonathan to the paternity of Ayana's unborn child nor any physical proof of murder including reportive DNA evidence on September 21st 2023 it took the jury just 62 minutes to render a verdict all right the verdicts are legally sufficient I'm going to give to the clerk for publication Mr ques please rise with your counil in the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit in for we County Florida p number 16 2019 CS 7518 axxx ma division C State OFA versus Jonathan job quilles verdict count one lead the jury find the guilty at first degree murder as charged in the indictment we find the defendant did actually possess and discharge a firearm during the commission of the offend Jonathan was found guilty on all counts including first-degree murder prosecutors wanted the death penalty adapting to Florida's recent legal change which now allows a death sentence to be imposed with just eight out of 12 juror votes as opposed to the previous requirement for a unanimous decision however less than eight jurors voted for the death penalty 4 days later leading to a recommendation for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole at the sentencing hearing ayan's mother stepped forward to deliver a victim impact statement her word echoed the profound sorrow longing and anguish of a mother who had lost her child in such a horrific manner Ayana was full of life and wanted to do so many things she wanted to be a pediatrician I thought about being a lawyer to my mom she was going to be a lawyer because she could talk her way out of almost anything she was thoughtful caring responsible ambitious articulate a leader a comedian and so many other things she was just a breath of fresh air she was everything you could ask for in a daughter regardless of the picture that was painted we were so close she was my first love I will I would never hear her say I love you or hear her say I got some tea I will never receive another FaceTime from her while I'm at work I will never hear my granddaughter's first C in a delivery room I would never get a hold my granddaughter or get or get her in the middle for get her in the middle of the night I would never get to see her as a mother she was so happy when I told her I was taking maternity leave when the baby was born these things was taken from us just as she was she wasn't in an accident but she didn't fall ill she was murdered even saying no words don't feel right coming out of my mouth I would have never imag that's what happened all because she was pregnant being the youngest in the family I'm always I've always had the support of my older siblings I have a special relationship with each of them and they have always been there for me they love to play Just Dance at another aun's house as much as my nephew tried he could never beat her we have family gatherings on a regular basis because cor I kids to grow up together never did I believe our family will experience this type of loss this situation has caus severe trust issues and has forever changed that special bond over the past few years I replayed a lot of scenarios in my mind what is some of the things that I've learned throughout the trial have been brought to my attention what if I found out she was pregnant earlier what if I was told that my daughters was questioned by an un inappropriate relationship or what Pro be questioned in the first place I would have never put my daughter's In Harm's Way had I known these things I will have to live the rest of my life with with that what if oh hold on I will never get over this L I'm so thankful that Justice was serve there was so many people that assist us in the Justice process to detective Abbot and M Ricky thank you for everything it didn't matter how many times or how late I called you were both there for me and never once rushed me off the phone I appreciate both of you more than you'll ever know thank you to all the det up and do that search the Landfield for several days in know dress conditions you are truly thankful for where you are the say Attorney Stacy and Dan I can never express my gratitude for her time and efforts that you put to share Justice for serve to everyone at State Attorney office thank you I to e to my family speechless I love y'all thank you to Judicial System the forces of a and Hazel were heard we heard things that no one should ever hear in their life time however Justice was serve I thank God for the 16 years that I was able to spend for her he